CalzadaBruselas
Normas de tráfico
Bruselas
1. Calzada
Una calzada, también llamada carriageway en inglés, es la parte de una carretera destinada principalmente al movimiento de vehículos. Puede llevar tráfico en uno o ambos sentidos y dividirse en uno o varios carriles.
La calzada es solo una parte del entorno vial. Vías ciclistas, aceras, arcenes, zonas de estacionamiento y otras instalaciones junto a la carretera pueden constituir partes separadas y estar sujetas a normas distintas.
What is legally considered a roadway in Belgium?
The Belgian roadway or carriageway, called the rijbaan, is the part of the public road that is arranged for vehicle traffic in general.
Is the roadway the same as the public road in Belgium?
No. The public road is the broader concept. It can include the roadway together with cycle paths, pavements, verges, parking strips and other parts intended for different road users.
Is a traffic lane the same as a Belgian roadway?
No. A traffic lane is a part of the roadway divided longitudinally by the prescribed continuous or broken road markings. One roadway can therefore contain several traffic lanes.
Is a Belgian cycle path part of the roadway?
No. The Belgian Road Code expressly states that a cycle path does not form part of the roadway, even though both form part of the public road.
Is a Belgian pavement part of the roadway?
No. A pavement or trottoir is a separate part of the public road specifically arranged for pedestrian traffic.
Is a Belgian parking strip part of the roadway?
No. A legally defined parking strip is situated alongside the roadway and is separated from it by the prescribed continuous white line indicating the imaginary edge of the roadway.
Must drivers normally use the roadway in Belgium?
Yes. When a public road contains a roadway, drivers must normally use that roadway, subject to the specific rules allowing or requiring certain road users to use another part of the public road.
Can cyclists use the Belgian roadway?
Yes. Where no applicable usable cycle path must be followed, cyclists normally ride on the right-hand side of the roadway, subject to the other Belgian rules concerning their position on the public road.
Can pedestrians use the Belgian roadway?
Yes, as a last alternative. Pedestrians must first use the available and passable pedestrian facilities, verges and other permitted parts of the public road. When those are unavailable or unusable, they may use the roadway according to the applicable pedestrian rules.
Can cyclists ride two abreast on the Belgian roadway?
Yes. Cyclists and speed-pedelec riders using the roadway may generally ride two abreast, but they must ride single file when passing in the opposite direction would otherwise be impossible. Additional restrictions apply outside built-up areas when a vehicle approaches from behind.
Can a Belgian roadway contain several lanes?
Yes. A roadway may be divided into two or more traffic lanes by continuous or broken longitudinal markings.
Can lane arrows be painted on a Belgian roadway?
Yes. White lane-selection arrows may indicate which lane drivers must use to travel in a particular direction when approaching an intersection.
Is a central roadway the same as an ordinary roadway?
No. Belgium also has the specific concept of a central roadway, or middenrijbaan, bordered by lateral strips. Those lateral strips are separate from the central roadway and have their own rules.
Will Belgium keep the same basic definition of roadway in 2027?
Yes. The new Code of the Public Road scheduled to apply from 1 June 2027 continues to define the roadway as the part of the public road arranged for vehicle traffic in general.
